Vilanova attends Barca training

Villanova was forced to temporarily step aside at the Nou Camp after it was confirmed he required a further operation on cancerous tissue near his parotid gland, having previously had saliva glands removed in November 2011.

Vilanov's assistant Jordi Roura has since assumed control of first-team duties in his absence.

The 44-year-old now faces six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, however, the Barca boss was still well enough to attend a training session on Wednesday.

A statement released on the club's official Twitter feed read: "Tito Vilanova came to the Ciudad Deportiva this morning and greeted the
players who trained there.''

The news that Vilanova would be facing a second battle against cancer came on December 22. Barcelona medical staff suggested at the time that the manager could potentially combine his treatment with his first-team duties, should circumstances allow.